2016 Apprenticeship at Brookwood Community Farm

BROOKWOOD COMMUNITY FARM
Apprenticeship 2016

BCF is adding to our team for the 2016 season! We are looking for enthusiastic people to share our passion for growing food.

About You
BCF seeks applicants who are excited to learn about small scale agriculture while working on a fast-paced production farm. Previous farming or farmer’s market experience is a plus, but not required. We are looking for responsible individuals with a good sense of humor who enjoy working hard as part of a team. You must be able to follow and clearly give directions, not be afraid to ask questions, make mistakes and laugh in the face of adversity. You must have the ability and interest to work long hours in all types of weather: rain, heat, cold and worst of all, wind. You must be able to perform physically demanding and repetitive tasks and be able to safely lift 50 lbs. You must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and pass a CORI check. Ideal candidates would enjoy a workplace that is open to the public in our unique suburban location.

About Us
Brookwood Community Farm grows diversified vegetables and flowers on 8 acres of land on 3 different sites in Milton and Canton, MA. Using organic methods (not certified) we provide produce for a 230-member CSA, a weekly farmer’s market, a food access market, and donations to local food pantries. As a non-profit community farm we are open to the public and offer educational and volunteer opportunities for our CSA members, youth and corporate groups. For more information about the farm and our mission, please visit our website. For pictures and other fun stuff check out our facebook page.

About the Apprenticeship
Our apprenticeship is an on-the-job training opportunity. Apprentices will learn many aspects of operating a small vegetable farm through hands-on tasks including greenhouse work, operating tractors, harvesting, planting, weeding, distributing and marketing produce, and working directly with the field crew and volunteers. Throughout the growing season, apprentices will work closely with the farm managers and have access to our planning materials. Apprentices will interact directly with our members at the farm and customers at our weekly farmers market.

Our farm apprenticeship runs full-time from March 28 – October 28 and part time from October 31 - November 20th. The work schedule will be Monday - Friday in April and switch to Tuesday through Saturday when our CSA begins in mid May. The hours are 7am – 5pm (through most of the season) with an hour for lunch. Beginning in June you may be responsible for bringing our produce to a weekly farmers market. You will also be responsible for greenhouse watering duties every 5th Sunday.

Apprentices will have the opportunity to learn outside of the farm from other farmers in the area through bi-weekly CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) gatherings. These events are great opportunities for both experienced and novice farmers to exchange knowledge and experience. Additionally, NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) holds frequent workshops and an annual summer farmer’s conference that we encourage apprentices to attend. Please visit: http://www.nofamass.org/ for more information.

Compensation
Apprentices are paid $10.00/hour, produce from the farm, discounts on off-farm products such as eggs and fruit, paid vacation and sick time. You will have access to a $250 education stipend for a workshop or conference of your choice. There is no housing available with this position.

To Apply
Please send in a letter of interest and resume to jobs@brookwoodcommunityfarm.org. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled so please send in your application ASAP. Please contact us if you have any questions. Only qualified applicants will be contacted.

Brookwood highly encourages people from all backgrounds to apply and seek a diverse pool of candidates for all positions. Brookwood Community Farm provides equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, disability unrelated to job requirements, genetic information, military service, or other protected status.